Range finder



Dec. 1, 1942'.

A. SIMMON y 2,303,767

RANGE FINDER Filed Oct. 1, 1941 2 Sheets-SheetI l BY Mm. MMM

ATTORNEY.

A. slMMoN 2,303,767

RANGE FINDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q99# C@ y horizontal ground glass.

Patented Dec. 1, 1942 RANGE FINDER Alfred Simmon, Jackson Heights, N. Y., assignor to Simmon Brothers Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 1, 1941,|Serial No. 413,084

(Cl. S35-44) l5 Claims.,

Modern hand cameras may be divided into two distinct types, namely, Reflex` cameras and "Range Finder" cameras.

The finder of the Reflex type camera ls equipped with a ground glass, a 45 mirror, and a lens, which may be either the camera lens or a separate lens provide for this purpose. The two images projected on the ground glass and on the film, respectively, are usually identical in size and a. sharp image should -be obtained on the film Whenever the image on the ground glass is focused sharply by the operator. The principal advantage of the Reflex camera is the ease with which the composition of the picture can be controlled, since the visible image is relatively large, not inverted and readily observable from any point roughly near the vertical center line of the There are, however, several disadvantages: It is rather difiicult to judge whether any picture on a ground glass is really critically sharp, a highly corrected and therefore expensive lens is required (unless the camera lens itself is used, and then other complications arise, such as the necessity to remove the mirror from the path. of light during the actual exposure) and, due to the interposed ground glass, the image will not be very bright, and under adverse light conditions, details will be difficult to distinguish. The last two disadvantages can be overcome by omitting the ground glass and arranging a large iield lens at a certain distance above the plane in which an image is formed by the iinder lens. This so-called Brilliant type viewfinder produces an extremely bright image, easily visible even in rather dim light, and a perfectly satisfactory quality can be be obtained using inexpensive lenses which do not need to be highly corrected. It will be clear, however, that this type of view iinder, due to the absence of a ground glass, does no longer offer any indication as to whether the camera lens is focused sharply on the plane of the sensitive film.

Range Finder cameras employ range rind ers of the so-called Split Fieldoincidence" type. Two pencils of light rays, emanating from two spaced points, form by suitable optical means, two images of the object to be photographed. The operator adjusts the range lnder until the two images coincide, and at the same time, by suitable mechanical means, the camera lens is made to project a sharp image or" this same object into the iilm plane. Experience has shown that it is much easier to adjust a range finder 0f this general type accurately and precisely than to Judge whether a ground glass image is really critically sharp, and this high degree of precision is the chief advantage o1' the so-called Range Finder camera.

Numerous attempts have been made to combine the advantages of both systems; i. e., to design a reex type view finder, and particularly a sou called Brilliant finder, equipped with a split iield.

None of these designs has been successful because they failed to meet one or both of the following conditions:

1. The two part images should either be of equal size, or the smaller one should cover at least approximately 25 percent of the full `area of the image. Unless this condition is met, it is diicult for the observer to locate the vital part of the picture, on which he wishes to focus, in the iield of the smaller part image.

2. It should not be necessary to observe the finder image from a point absolutely accurately on the center line of the finder, but reasonable deviations should not affect either the size of the field nor the accuracy of the focusing, nor should there be any other objectionable consequences.

For the purpose of this analysis, range rindersvmay be divided into two general types, the unbalanced and the balanced type. In the unbalanced type, the rays of light forming one image are slightly longer than the rays of light forming the other image, whereas in the balanced type, the paths of both rays are of equal length.

Many range finders used in present cameras belong to the iirst; i. e., the "unbalanced type as, for example, the range iinders on the so-called Contax, Leica, and Speed Graphic cameras. Due to the fact that one pencil of rays is somewhat longer than the other pencil, the size of both part images of the same object will not always be of exactly identical size. This means that it will not be possible to have the respective images all points contained in the object plane which being focused upon coincide in the range nd'n er at the same time. For instance, if one fo euses on a building with its front at right angles yto the center line of the camera and using a range nnder with a vertical base, all images of the upper story windows and all images of the lower story windows, respectively, formed by one pencil of light rays should coincide with all corresponding images formed by the second pencil of rays at the same time, but due to the fact that the apparent height of the building, as Seen in the two parts of the view finder, will not be exactly the same, this condition will not be exactly met. This means that a considerable error may be introduced in measuring the distance, depending upon whether one makes the images of the upper or of the lower story windows coincide, and it is therefore necessary in range finders of this "unbalanced type to camouflage this effect by the simple expedient of making the field of one part image very small which makes the discrepancy in size between the two images of a given object formed by the two pencils of rays unnoticeable, but which at the same time renders the range finder slower to use and considerably less convenient. In particular, an appreciable amount of time is usually lost before the operator is able to locate the important part of the picture on which he wants to focus in the ileld of the smaller part image so that the two corresponding images of this particular point can be brought to coincidence. This effect becomes worse with increasing distance between the two pencils of light rays or Ibase distance, which is unfortunate, since a relatively large base distance is otherwise very desirable in order to obtain better accuracy.

The unbalanced range finder therefore fails to meet the aforementioned rst condition; i. e., it is impossible to provide part images of convenient size, since one must be quite small in order to hide the eilect of slightly unequal image size.

The balanced type of range ilnder is free from this defect. Both pencils of rays are of exactly the same length, and part images formed of a given object are therefore of the same size. Thus even the smaller part image may be made as large as conditions permit.

All range finders of this balanced type which have been made heretofore are of substantially the same general design following the pattern of the so-called military range finders. In these the observer looks into two reflecting surfaces, prisms or mirrors, positioned at an angle of 45 with respect to the line of vision but at right angles to each other, one reflecting surface usually being arranged above the other one. In front of either reflecting surface, laterally disposed at a suitable distance (half base distance), is another reflecting surface arranged at an angle of approximately 45 so that the two beams are reflected into a direction approximately parallel to the original line of vision and to each other. At infinity the original line of vision and the two pencils of rays will be exactly parallel.

If an attempt is made to combine a rangeA finder of this class with a reflex type view finder of the Brilliant type described above, it will be found that it fails to meet the aforesaid second condition, because the eye of the observer must be exactly and accurately in the vertical center line of the view finder. If the eye of the observer deviates even slightly from the true center line of such a nder, the parting line between the two sections of the split field does not remain stationary but performs wild gyrations and changes its shape and position with great rapidity. This is most disconcerting and causes after a short time acute physical discomfort and severe headaches.

It is the main object of the invention to overcome this difficulty in three principal ways. One is to eliminate any parting line altogether by' -superimposing two full size images by means of a heretofore parallel to the direction of the relative movement of the two part images, but at right angles thereto; and a third, suitably to combine these two means.

This arrangement of the parting line between the two part images must be considered to be one of the most important parts of the invention. By arranging the parting line in this manner, a very considerable freedom for the observer is obtained. The eye of the observer may now occupy any position in the general neighborhood of the vertical center line of the view finder and the parting line between the two part images will remain almost stationary and the undesirable eil'ects described above will be absent.

The invention is illustrated by means of the following drawings in which diagrammatically the relation of the various reflecting surfaces of the range finder are shown, as well as a diagrammatic combination of a range finderfembodying the principles of the invention with a conventional form of camera, also disclosed diagrammatically only. In these drawings Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view of the reflecting surfaces of a range finder in their respective relations to each other and adjusted to infinity;

Figs. la, lb, lo show the appearance of a round object as seen through the finder disclosed in Fig. l, adjusted, respectively, for too far a distance, for the correct distance, and for too close a distance;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View similar to Fig. 1 except that the mirror reflecting surfaces reflect only the narrow portion of a reflecting beam and are thus reduced in size considerably;

Figs. 2a, 2b, 2c show a round object seen through the finder disclosed in Fig. 2, adjusted, respectively, for too far a distance, for the correct distance, and for too close a distance;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figs. l and 2, except that the reflecting elements are a combination of both the styles shown in Figs. l and 2 and are of the image splitting kind;

Figs. 3a, 3b, 3c sho a round object seen through the finder disclosed in Fig. 3, also adjusted, respectively, for too far a distance, for the correct distance, and for too close a distance;

Fig. 3d is a diagrammatic plan view of a three part mirror used in the finder shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 shows diagrammatlcally a longitudinal sectional view of a camera in broken lines with a range finder embodying the principles of the invention in the infinity position;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but focused at a relatively close object; and

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the relation of an operating lever and a swiveling mirror, as will be explained more in detail hereafter, to satisfy a governing formula.

Like characters of reference denote similar parts through the several drawings and the following specification.

Referring to Fig. 1, the finder consists, as shown diagrammatlcally, of a field lens II, an

. image splitting or superimposing mirror I2, an-

gularly disposed to a vertical axis through the optical center of the lens II, an image forming finder lens Il in front of mirror I2, and another image forming finder lens I4 below mirror I2 and in line with the verticalaxis of lens II.

1 Lenses Il and Il are of the same focal length semi-transparent mirror; a second is to arranco n the parting line between the two images, not

and `cover the same angle as the camera lens. I5 is a mirror swivelling around a fulcrum B disposed below the lens I4 and reflects the first aware? pencil oi light rays. yi8 and Il are fixed mirrors, parallel to each other, in front of the before mentioned vertical axis, and arranged at an an gle of substantially 45 with respect to the line of vision, reflecting the second pencil of light rays. As shown.' both pencils of rays are parallel, the finder being focused at infinity.

As' can be seen, this general arrangement of reecting surfaces, with respect to a horizontal plane through the finder, is not symmetrical, but by choosing the proper dimensions, nevertheless,

' both pencils of rays can be made of exactly the same lengths so that both part' images will be of identical size when viewed through the lens Il. Obviously it is necessary to make The image splitting or superimposing element i2 may be made in three different ways. By making the element a semi-transparent mirror in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the operator would see two full-sized imagessuperimposed. In Fig. 2 the image splitting element 12a is a mirror of 100 percent reilectivity at one side of the vertical axis through the field lens Il and the other mirrors-ISG, Ilia and ila are correspondingly reduced in length. With the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the observer would see half the image as formed by lens I3 and the other half as formed by lens i4, the' parting line .between the two images being at right angles to the relative movement of the two part images.

In Fig. 3 a third modication is shown. For the image splitting element a mirror IZb is used, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig 3d. This mirror has three zones, one numbered |2c covering about one-half of its length of substantially 100 percent reflectivity, another narrower one numbered I2d of one-half reflecting and onehalf transparent characteristic, and a third one numbered I2e entirely transparent. The lengths of minors i5b, iGb and Hb are approximately between lengths of mirrors I5, I6 and i1 of Fig.

1, and mirrors |54, lia. and Ila oi Fig. 2. With the device shown in Fig. 3, the observer would see three zones, each occupying approximately onethird of the full length of 'the field. 4The first zone would be formedby lens il, the third zone would be formed by lens I4, and the center zone would show images formed by either lens superimposed upon each other.

In Figs. la, lb and 1c are shown diagrammati- ,cally the appearance of a round object 22 as viewed through the field lens Il in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the mirror i2 being semitransparent covering the entire field and set, respectively, for too far a distance in Fig. la, for the correct distance in Fig. 1b, and for tocl close a distance in Fig. 1c. .Similar views of a round object 22 are s hown in Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c, in which the zones 2.3 and 24 show the object 22 as reilected by the-two half mirrors described in connection with Fig. 2, namely, in Fig. 2a set for too far a distance, in Fig. 2b for the correct distance' and` in Fig. 2c for too near a distance. Similarly inl Figs. 3a, 3b-and 3c is shown the round obiect 22 as viewed by means of the arrangement described in Fig. 3. In Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c, the three zones as reilected by, respectively, theone hundred percent reflectivity mirror. the mirror of one-half reflecting and onehalf transparent characteristic,- and the one ventirely transparent, are designated as, respectively, 25, 26 and 21. In these ilgures, also, Fig. 3a shows the object when the ilnder is set at too far a distance. Fig. 3b at the correct distance, and Fig. 3c at too near a distance.

Either one of the three image splitting or superimposing methods is best adapted for certain y since it is neceary to judge whether the image of a given object'is complete or whether certain center portions are missing or whether certain center portions are shown twice. This method, however, has the denite advantage that relatively small mirrors may be used. As can be seen in Fig. 1, allmirrors are arranged on anv angle of 45 with respect to the line .of vision. Since all mirrors reflect diverging beams of light, it will be clear that one side of the mirror must be very large in order to 4cover as large a portion of the ileld as the other side. By dividing the field in two parts, the mirrors can be proportioned in such manner that most mirrors reflect only the narrow portion of the diverging beam, and thus their size can be reduced considerably as shown in Fig. 2.

The operationof the range finder can beimproved by usingan image splitting element according to Fig. 3. This arrangement combines the advantages of both systems shown in Figs. 1 and 2, i. e., it is very easily possible to judge whether the part images 'of the same object coincide by observing the center zone, and it still is not necessary to use inconveniently largemirrors for ordinary lenses.

The disposition of reflecting surfaces shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 has the distinct advantage that all mirrors are -arranged at right angles to one common plane whereby manufacturing is facilitated and a greater degree of accuracy made posvery accurate manner in which'this is being done will now be described and reference is being made to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 which illustrates diagrammatically the principles involved.

The camera consists of two parts which can be adjusted with respect to each other for focusing and which are connected by suitable flexible but light-tight means such as bellows. The front part contains the vmain'lens 2l and the' range finder, and is shown schematically in Figs. 4 and 5 in dotted lines. -It will be understood that in reality the range finder will, preferably, not be mounted straight above the main lens as shown but that the-two will be mounted side by side in such a manner that the distance between the two beams of the range finder and the beam of the lens will be asvsmall as possible in order to minimize parallax. The range'iinder contains mirror I5 which swivels around fulcrum B, and which is connected to a lever i8.V

The second part of the camera contains the main camera housing which includes provisions to support a sensitive'lm 20, and an element finder' must be coupled with the having a knife edge I 9 cooperating with lever I8. Both the knife edge and the lever are preferably made from hardened steel in order to minimize friction and wear, and lever I8 is biased by a spring (not shown) so that it will always be in contact with knife edge I9.

'I'he whole arrangement is shown in Fig. 4 in the infinity position corresponding to Fig. 1, and in Fig. 5 as focused at a relatively close object. In the infinity position, the effective length of lever 8 is called L and this lever comprises an angle with the horizontal center line. The base distance of. the range finder is M. It can be shown that by choosing the dimensions L, M and properly, the range finder can be made to correspond wit ha very high degree of accuracy with the focusing movement of the lens.

As mentioned above, the camera is shown as focused at infinity in Fig. 4. The fulcrum of mirror I5 is B. If we focus this camera at a close object,- the entire front part will be moved away from the rear part and the fulcrum of mirror I5 will now be at B' which is slightly farther away from the lm than B, see Fig. 5. The knife edge I9, of course, remains stationary with respect to the sensitive nlm 2U.'

A diagram can now be drawn as in Fig. 6 containing points G, B and B', and by extending GB and drawing a line from B' perpendicular to the extended line GB, meeting it at H.

By moving the front part of the camera from the position shown in Fig. 4, to the position shownJin Fig. 5, mirror I5 rotates slightly. Since the angle between the reflected beam and the horizon is a, it win be understood thatmlrror ls rotates by an angle or with reference to Fig. 6, angle a BGH- It will .also be clear that angle B'BH=.` VThe distance BB' is the distance by which-the lens must be advanced from the infinity position in order to focus at a close object, and we may call this distance AF. From triangle BB'H we can derive the following equations:

B'H=AF sin BH :AF cos Similarly, contemplating triangle GHB:

GH =L+AF cos ,8

The distance between the optical center of the lens and the object plane which is being focused is called a, Fig. 5. The corresponding distance between the optical center of the lens and the sensitive film is called b. In theinflnity posi` tan :il-

ga a-I-c Since a is quite small, tang a is very nearly l! 2 uns gl-2 AF sin a-i-c H-AF cos M ML a .2 tang +2AF sin d c A (1) The same distance a can be computed from the optical equations of the main camera lens as follows:

' This lens is sharply focused on an object plane having a distance a from its optical center if the focusing equation` is met:

l l l :+r-r This can be transformed as follows:

l=i l b-F a F b bF l (F+AF)F AF In other words, after choosing the base distance of the range finder which should'preferably be made as large as physical conditions permit.

the angle of the mirror actuating lever to the horizontalwill be M tang z' (Iwo) and its length in the infinity position:

L==2i sin The range finder and the focusing position of the camera lens will then be synchronized with a very high degree of accuracy and by very simple means.

The foregoing fully so reveals the principles of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge of the prior art, readily adapt them for various utilizations and styles of cameras, and therefore such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the appended claims.

For instance, while I have shown the lower mirror in the vertical axis of the field lens of the range finder fulcrummed for adjustment by the knife edge I9 acting against lever I8, any other mirror in the finder except the one immediately below the field lens may be so arranged.

`wardly to engage the knife edge.

1. In a photographic camera, 'a camera lens,

' film holding means, means for changing the relation between said lens and said nlm holding means for focusing purposes including a range finder comprising a field lens, an uppe'x and a lower mirror angularly disposed to a vertical axis through said field lens, a finder lens disposed between said mirrors and in axial alignment with said neld lens. a pair of inclined mirrors in front of said upper mirror, and another iinder lens between said pair of mirrors and said upper mirror, one of the said mirrors having a horizontal fulcrum at right angles. to the axis of said camera lens and being movable about said fulcrum in unison withythe movement of said camera lens relative to said nlm holding means.

2. In aphotographic camera, a camera lens, lm holding means, means for changing the relation between said lens and .said lm holding means for focusing purposes including a range finder comprising a field lens. an upper and a lower mirror angularly disposed to a vertical axis through said ileld lens, a finder lens disposed between said mirrors and in axial alignment with said ileld lens, a pair of inclined mirrors in front of said upper mirror, and another ilnder lens between said pair of mirrors and said upper mirror, the said lower mirror having a horizontal fulcrum at right angles to the axis of said camera lens and being movable about'said fulcrum in unison with the movement of said camera -lens relative to said nlm holding means.

3. In a photographic camera, a camera lens, iilm holding means, means for changing the relation between said lens and said film holding means for focusing purposes including a range ilnder comprising a 'eld lens, an upper and a lower mirror angularly disposed to a vertical axis through said field lens, a finder lens disposed between said mirrors and in axial alignment with said field lens, a pair of inclined mirrors in front 'of said upper mirror, and another finder lens between said pair of mirrors and said upper mirror, the said upper mirror being semi-transparent and one of said other mirrors having a horizontal fulcrum at right angles to the axis of said camera lens and being movable about said fulcrum in unison with the movement of said camera lens relative to said nlm holding means.

,rors havingv a horizontal fulcrum at right angles Eto, the axis of said camera lens and being movable about said 4fulcrum in unison with the movement of said camera lens relative to said film holding i means.

5. In a photographiccamera, a camera lens,

Iilxn holding means, means for changing the relation between said lens and said iilm holding means for focusing purposes including a range 'iinder comprising a eld lens, an-upper and a lower mirror angularly disposed to a vertical axis through' said ileld lens, a Ailnder4 lens disposed between said mirrors and in axial alignment with said field lens, a pair of inclined mirrors in iront of said upper mirror, and another finder lens between said pair of mirrors and said upper mirror, the said upper mirror constituting an optical element having zones of various degrees of reilectivity, and the said lower mirror having a horizontal fulcrum at right angles to the axis of said camera lens and being movable about said vfulcrum in unison with the movement of said camera lens relative to said film holding means.

6. In a photographic camera, a camera lens, iilm holding means, means for changing the relation between said lens and said iilm holding `means for focusing purposes includinga range `ilnder comprising a ileld lens, an upper and a refiectivity,`a semi-transparent zone and another zone of full transparency, and one of said other mirrors having a horizontal fulcrum at right angles to the axis of said camera lens and being movable about said fulcrum in unison with the .movement of said camera lens relative to said Aillm holding means.

7. In a photographic camera, a camera lens, nlm holding means, means for changing the relation between said lens and said film holding means for focusing purposes including a range finder comprising a field lens, an upper and a lower mirror angularly disposed to and at one 4. In-a photographic camera, a camera lens,

film holding means, means for changing the relation between said lens and said nlm holding means for focusing purposes including a range finder comprising a ileld lens, an upper and a lower mirror angularly disposed to a vertical axis through said field lens, a finder lens disposed between said mirrors and in axial alignment with said field lens, a pair of inclined mirrors in front of said upper mirror, and another ilnder lens between said pair of mirrors and said upper mirror, the said upper mirror constituting an optical element having zones of various degrees ofrefiectivity, and one of said other mir- 75' a finder lens disposed between said mirrors and in axial alignment with said field lens, a pair of inclined mirrors in front of said upper mirror, and another iinder lens between said pair of mirrors and said upper mirror, one of said mirrors having a horizontal fulcrum -at right angles to the axisof said .camera lens and being movable about said fulcrum inunison with the movement of said camera lens relative Yto said nlm holding means. n

v8. In a photographic'camera, a camera lens, illm holding means, means for changing the relation between said lens and said film holding means for focusing purposes including a. range finder comprising a field lens, anupper and a lower mirror angularly disposed to and at one ,.,side of a vertical axis through said field lens,

a finder lens disposed between said mirrors and in axial alignment with said iield lens, a pair of inclined lmirrors in front of said upper mirror, and another finder lens between said pair of mirrors and said upper mirror, the said lower mirror having a horizontal fulcrum at right angles to the axis of said camera lens and being movable about said fulcrum in unison with the movement of said camera lens relative to said lm holding means.

9. In a photographic camera, a camera lens, film holding means, means for changing the relation between said lens and said iilm holding means for focusing purposes including a range nder comprising a field lens, an upper and a lower mirror angularly disposed to a vertical axis through said field lens, a finder lens disposed between said mirrors and in axial alignment with said neld lens, a pair of inclined mirrors in front of said upper mirror, and another finder lens between said pair of mirrors and said upper mirror, one of the said mirrors having a horizontal fulcrum at right angles to the axis of said camera lens and being movable about said fulcrum in unison with the movement of said camera lens relative to said film holding means, the said mirrors being so disposed angularly that b'oth pencils of rays impinging thereupon will be of the same lengths.

10. In a photographic camera, a camera lens, lm holding means, means for changing the relation between said lens and said film holding means for focusing'purposes including a range nnder comprising a eld lens, an upper and a lower mirror angularly disposed to a. vertical axis through said field lens, a. finder lens disposed between said mirrors in axial alignment with said iield lens and located in said axis at a point A, the said axis passing through said lower mirror at a point B, a pair of inclined mirrors, one above the other, in front of said upper mirror, and another finder lens at a point D in a horizontal axis passing through the point of intersection of said vertical axis and said upper mirror, said horizontal axis intersecting the lower mirror of said pair et a point E, a line parallel to said vertical axis through point E intersecting the upper mirror of said pair at a point F and a horizontal line through point B at C. the distances AB+BC= DE+EF, so that both pencils of rays impinging upon'the mirrors will be of the same lengths, one

of said mirrors having a horizontal fulcrum at right angles to the axis of said camera lens and being movable about said fulcrum in unison with the movement of said camera lens relative to said-film holding means.

11. In a photographic camera, a camera lens, iilm holding means, means for changing the relation between said lens and said iilm holding means for focusing purposes including a range ilnder comprising a ield lens, an upper and a lower mirror angularly disposed to a vertical axis through said field lens, a finder lens disposed between said mirrors in axial alignment with said field lens and locatedin said axis at a point A, the said axis passing through said. lower mirror at s point B, a pair of inclined mirrors, one above the other, in front of said upper mirror, and another finder lens at a'poifnt D in a horizontal axis passing throughs th'" point of intersection of said vertical axis and said upper mirror, said horizontal axis intersecting the low r mirror of said pair at a point E; a line llel to said camera lens relative to said nlm holding means. l2. In a photographic camera, a front part and a back part adjustable with respect to each said ruicrum, nim holding means within said back part, and an element with a knife edge adapted to contact said lever and rotate said fulcrumed mirror by the movement of said cam- 'era lens relative to said film holding means for focusing purposes.

13. In a photographic camera, a front part and a back part adjustable'with respect to each other, a camera lens, a range finder comprising a field lens, an. upper and a lower mirror angularly disposed to a vertical axis through said field lens, a finder lens disposed between said mirrors and in' axial alignment with said iield lens, a pair of inclined mirrors in iront of said upper mirror, and another nder lens between said pair of mirrors and said upper mirror, the said lower mirror having a horizontal fulcrum at right anglesto the axis of said camera lens, s lever connected to said fulcrum, film holding means within said back part, and an element with a knife edge adapted to contact said lever and rotate said fulcrumed mirror by the movement of said camera lens relative to said film holding 'means for focusing purposes.`

14. In a photographic camera, a front part other, a camera lens, a range finder comprising a field lens, an upper and a lower mirror angularly vertical axis. through point E'intersecting the said camera lens and being movable about said fulcrum in unison with the movement fi `.am

disposed to a vertical axis through said iield lens, a iinder lens disposed between said mirrors and in axial alignment with said eld lens, a pair of inclined mirrors in front of said upper mirror, and another finder lens between said pair of mirrors and said upper mirror, one of said mirrors having a horizontal fulcrum at right angles to the axis ofsaid camera lens, a lever, having an inclined surface, connected to said fulcrum, film holding means within said back part, and an element with a knife edge adapted to contact said inclined surface of the lever and rotate said fulcrumed mirror by the movement of said camera lens relative to said hlm holding means for focusing purposes, the tangent of the angle between the said inclined surface of the lever and the optical axis of the camera lens in the infinity position being equal the base distance of the range iinder divided by twice the focal length of the camera lens plus the distance between said vertical axis of the range finder and the optical center of the camera lens, and the length of the lever from' said fulcrum to the point of contact with said knife edge being equal to twice the square of the focal length of the camera lens multiplied by th'e sine of said angle, divided by -the base distancegof said range finder.

"i inclin'ed surface of the lever and rotate said fulcrumed mirror by the movement oi said camera lens relative to said film holding means for focusing purposes, the tangent of the angle between the said inclined surface ofthe lever and the optical axis of the camera lens in the infinity position being equal the base distance of the range finder divided by twice the focal length oi the l camera lens plus the distance between said vertical axis of the range finder and the optical center of the camera lens, and the length of the lever from said iulcrum to the point of contact with said knife edge being equal to twice the square of the focal length of the camera lens multiplied by the sine o said angle, divided by the base distance of said range ilnder.

ALFRED srMMoN. 

